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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Macsen Wledig doing when he falls asleep and has his dream?

2. What animal leads Math and Gwydion to Lleu Llaw Gyffes?

3. How fast is Rhiannon's horse travelling when the messengers pursue her?

4. Which of the following did Efnisien not to do the horses?

5. How many children does Aranrhod give birth to?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Math and Gwydion find Lleu Llaw Gyffes after Gronwr shoots him?

2. Why, according to the tale, do the warriors of Cynan decide to cut out the tongues of the women?

3. Why does Gwydion suggest obtaining pigs from Pryderi?

4. What does Pwyll do that insults or offends Arawn?

5. Where did the Three Romances originate from before being written for the Mabinogion?

6. What does Elen insist on after the messengers salute her as Empress of Rome?

7. Why do the four have to leave the towns in Lloegyr they try to settle in?

8. Why does Cigfa become so fearful after Rhiannon and Pryderi vanish?

9. Why does Efnisien mutilate the Irish horses?

10. What are onomastic tales?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the character of Cei as he appears in the earlier tales and as he appears in the later romances, and describe how the portrayal of this character has changed over time. Use quotes from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Examine the character of the magician Gwydion in "Math son of Mathonwy" and describe him in detail. State whether this character is more a negative character or a positive character, or neutral, using quotes from the text to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Animals often seem to play a magical role in some of the tales of The Mabinogion. Choose three animals from the list below and describe some examples of how they are used the tales. Your answer should also state how the animals seem to affect the events of the plot. Choose from:

(a) pigs or boars

(b) mice

(c) horses

(d) birds

(e) deer

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 682 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample